In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now Stonefire—David offers grounded insights on building a people-first culture. He shares how Stonefire is refining its guest experience through technology, team empowerment, and a clear vision for growth. From improving internal communication to acting on customer feedback, David breaks down the strategic choices that make Stonefire's service model both scalable and personal.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• David's leadership journey from BJ's Restaurants to Stonefire Grill

• The people-first philosophy behind Stonefire's operations

• Using stakeholder input to guide strategic initiatives

• Leveraging tech tools like Toast and Ovation to enhance service

• Creating a high-performance culture through servant leadership

Connect with David Youngberg:

www.stonefiregrill.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyoungberg 

www.instagram.com/tridavetri 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stonefire-grill-inc

https://www.instagram.com/stonefiregrill/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/stonefiregrill?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWywdImCs66xn62mktbA5IA

https://www.facebook.com/stonefiregrill/ 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo'Betta's Hawaiian-style restaurant chain. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Rob shares the brand's growth journey from 22 to 68 stores in four years, its partnership with Savory Fund, and its recent acquisition by Blue Marlin and Tribe. 

The conversation focuses on operational excellence, cultural authenticity, and the importance of simplicity in menu design. Rob outlines how Mo'Betta's has preserved its Hawaiian roots while scaling rapidly, discusses the pivotal role of the general manager, and highlights how defining team values such as humility, kindness, and hunger has contributed to the company's strong internal culture. 

• The growth and evolution of Mo'Betta's from 22 to 68 stores

• Maintaining cultural authenticity during rapid scale

• Why simplicity in menu design supports operations and margins

• Hiring for values over resumes and building internal leadership

• Learning from team feedback and staying humble in decision-making

Connect with Rob Ertmann:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-ertmann-61b93927 

http://www.mobettahs.com 

https://mobettahs.com/about/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mo-bettahs 

https://www.instagram.com/mobettahs/?hl=en 

https://www.facebook.com/Mobettahs/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mobettahs

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Guy Weiss, tech entrepreneur and founder of ZenZap, to discuss how workplace communication is evolving—especially in the hospitality industry. Guy shares his journey from cybersecurity to launching a purpose-built messaging platform designed for frontline teams in fast-paced environments like restaurants and franchises.

The conversation explores the high cost of chaotic communication, including burnout, security risks, and productivity loss, and outlines why existing tools like WhatsApp, Slack, and iMessage fall short. With ZenZap, Weiss aims to create a structured, mobile-first communication experience that reduces friction, supports onboarding and turnover, and enables operators to scale effectively.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Why personal messaging tools create problems in hospitality operations

• The hidden costs of "always-on" work culture and notification fatigue

• Security and privacy risks from unregulated group chats

• The challenge of onboarding and offboarding in high-turnover environments

• How ZenZap creates structured, simple, and effective team communication

Connect with Guy Weiss:

https://zenzap.co 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-weiss-77088589/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenzap

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQDSHmeJ3X_nuqEVzLq9SAQ

https://www.facebook.com/Zenzap.messaging

https://www.instagram.com/zenzapapp/

https://www.g2.com/products/zenzap/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/10018942/Zenzap/ 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2016/02/29/forbes-israel-announces-its-30-under-30-list/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Jim Balis, partner of Strategic Operations Group at Capitol Spring. They delve into how hospitality can be delivered effectively in the fast-casual and QSR space. Jim shares thoughts and insights on the future of loyalty programs, automation, and customization in the industry.

Here are a few key topics discussed:

  - Importance of hospitality in different segments of the restaurant industry

  - Implementing technology to improve labor efficiency

  - Enhancing the guest experience through automation and customization

  - The future of loyalty programs in the industry

Connect with Jim at the following links:

www.capitalspring.com

​​https://www.linkedin.com/company/capitalspring

www.sizzlingplatter.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sizzling-platter-llc/

https://www.instagram.com/sizzlingplatterllc/ 

https://www.ilovelulus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/lulusfinepizza 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090559873514

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper speaks with Laura Wilber, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Dinova, about the business dining landscape and how restaurants can tap into the lucrative market of corporate dining. 

Laura shares her journey from custom boot fitting and radio ad sales to becoming a trusted partner for over 600 global companies through Dinova's extensive restaurant network. She highlights the impact of corporate travelers on midweek traffic, growing trends in catering, and how experiential dining and entertainment options like pickleball and mini golf are shaping team-building events. The conversation also dives into the economic realities of restaurant operations today and the importance of providing a seamless, responsive experience for corporate clients.

• Laura's path from radio advertising to strategic partnerships at Dinova

• What hospitality means in both business and personal life

• Business dining trends and insights from Dinova's upcoming report

• How corporate clients are driving growth in catering and team events

• The role of responsiveness and communication in winning corporate dining business

Connect with Laura Wilber:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramwilber 

www.dinova.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dinova

https://www.instagram.com/dinova_marketplace/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1cY4n9zQtzr9NEyEROC-Q

https://www.facebook.com/Dinovanetwork/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with tech industry veteran Davi Dubinski, co-founder at Momos. They unpack the critical role of customer data and engagement tools in today's hospitality landscape. Davi shares his journey from international relations and ad tech to co-building a platform designed to streamline guest feedback and lifecycle marketing for restaurants. The conversation dives into the challenges of fragmented systems, the operational and financial benefits of centralized intelligence, and how brands like Pepper Lunch are using data to recover dissatisfied customers, drive repeat visits, and build community. With real examples and performance metrics, this episode offers actionable insights for hospitality leaders looking to understand their guests better and scale with intention.

• Davi's background in advertising tech and path to founding Momos

• The complexity of customer data across fragmented hospitality systems

• How Momos supports feedback, recovery, and loyalty from a single platform

• Leveraging surveys and review platforms to generate insights and engagement

• Real-world results from using integrated data for smarter operations

Connect with Davi Dubinski:

http://www.momos.com

https://www.facebook.com/momos.restaurants

https://www.instagram.com/momos.restaurants

https://www.linkedin.com/company/momos-com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dubinski-88471a54/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper welcomes Mehdi Zarhloul, founder of Crazy Pita, to discuss the evolution of hospitality, business resilience, and brand-building in the restaurant industry. From humble beginnings as a teenage immigrant to becoming a multi-concept restaurant operator and franchisee, Mehdi shares his journey, philosophy, and the values that guide his team. He emphasizes kindness, sincerity, and consistency in customer service while integrating technology to streamline operations. 

The conversation covers overcoming COVID-19 challenges, expanding into Walmart locations with micro-concepts, and embracing social media as a personal and professional branding tool. With humor and candor, Mehdi illustrates how community engagement and strong systems can fuel sustainable growth in a tough market.

• The foundational role of sincerity and kindness in hospitality

• Mehdi's journey from Casablanca to launching Crazy Pita in Las Vegas

• Navigating operational challenges during COVID-19 and adapting through technology

• Expanding through Walmart micro-concepts and launching new virtual brands

• Leveraging social media and personal branding for business growth

Connect with Mehdi Zarhloul:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-zarhloul-39625916 

https://www.instagram.com/mehdi.zarhloul/ 

www.crazypita.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/crazypita/

https://www.instagram.com/eatcrazypita/

https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.pita

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Pita/45151338236 

www.thechickengenius.com 

https://www.tiktok.com/@chicken.genius/ 

https://www.instagram.com/Chickengeniss/ 

www.thesaladmadness.com 

https://www.instagram.com/salad.madness/

https://www.tiktok.com/@salad.madness/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Kathleen Wood—industry veteran, consultant, and founder of Kathleen Wood Partners—for a dynamic conversation about hospitality, founder-led businesses, and the future of leadership in the restaurant space. Kathleen shares her journey from dishwasher to CEO, discusses the philosophy behind transforming transactions into human connections, and offers practical insights on building scalable, founder-led companies. 

The two dive deep into the evolution of hospitality, the importance of blending digital and physical experiences ("phygital"), and why the next wave of growth in restaurants will be driven by leadership development, not just technology. Kathleen also highlights recurring challenges she helps brands solve—like operational absorption and leadership gaps—and why staying curious across industries is essential for innovation.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Kathleen's early career and inspiration for entering the restaurant industry

• Founder-led growth and the Power of One framework

• Applying cross-industry best practices to hospitality

• The shift toward "phygital" guest experiences

• Addressing the leadership deficit in restaurant operations

Connect with Kathleen Wood:

Email: [email protected] 

Website: kwoodpartners.com 

Facebook: Facebook.com/KathleenWoodPartners 

Instagram: Instagram.com/Kwpfounders 

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/KathleenWoodPartners

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Andrew K. Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Savory Fund. They explore the principles of servant leadership, authentic partnership in franchising, and how discipline, transparency, and an abundance mindset can shape the future of the hospitality industry. Andrew shares lessons from both tech and restaurant sectors, emphasizes the importance of operational excellence before scaling, and outlines how the Savory Fund supports emerging restaurant brands not just with capital, but with people and systems.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• The difference between lifestyle and legacy businesses

• How hospitality fosters a sense of belonging

• The importance of sharing failures and building trust

• Savory Fund's operating model and investment criteria

• Franchising philosophy and building true partnerships

Connect with Andrew Smith:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewksmithsavoryfund

https://savoryfund.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/savoryfund

https://www.instagram.com/andrewksmith/ 

https://www.instagram.com/savoryfund/

instagram.com/savoryrestaurantfund/ 

https://restaurantologysummit.com/ 

https://open.spotify.com/show/4BqfX79kiM9uy53yfcaxnA

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper talks with Cameron McNie, co-founder and executive chairman of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, about leading with values in the fast casual restaurant space. Cameron shares how he and his brother have scaled the brand from its roots in Kansas City to more than 60 locations while prioritizing employee well-being and embedding the Aloha spirit into every aspect of the business. 

His approach includes fully covered healthcare for key employees, creating "winnable policies," and rethinking digital customer experience through intentional hospitality design. The conversation also touches on growth strategy, delivery challenges, and how staying grounded in values supports long-term scalability.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Building employee-first culture with full healthcare coverage

• Creating "winnable policies" that align employer and employee goals

• Adapting hospitality to digital and delivery-based service models

• Rapid franchise expansion and growth strategy

• Embedding the Aloha spirit into operations and customer experience

Connect with Cameron McNie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-mcnie-8524a91a2/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawaiian-bros/ 

https://www.instagram.com/hawaiianbros/

https://www.facebook.com/HawaiianBros

https://twitter.com/hawaiianbros

https://www.tiktok.com/@hawaiianbros?lang=en

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.